Foot-balancing means



May 10, 1938.

c. P. LEYDECKER FOOT BALANCING MEANS Filed Oct. 8, 1956 Q 8- ab 57 /A/l/EA/Toe:

CHARLES P. frase/rsf Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED s'rArEs PATENT QFFECE Application October 8,

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to shoes, and more particularly to a method for eifecting foot balance within a shoe, and means for achieving such balance.

The present invention is predicated upon the 5 theory that there is only one longitudinal bone arch in the foot construction, the columns or supports of which comprise the os calcis and the forward portion of the first matatarsal. Many authorities aver that there are three or four arches in the longitudinal dimension of the foot; but a study of the bones in the feet shows that the many bones which comprise a foot make up one complete arch, some parts of which are concave and some parts of which are convex, but all of which contribute to the one single arch. Modern shoe construction has resulted in the dropping of certain bones of the foot, notably the cuboid and the fifth metatarsal, so that the rear portion of the fifth metatarsal contacts the shoe in walking which, in effect, provides two arches, namely, one between the os calcis and the rear portion of the fifth metatarsal, and the other between the rear portion of the fifth metatarsal and the forward portion of the rst metatarsal or the great toe. This, however, is not a natural position. This lowering of the enumerated bones of the feet has been caused byv constructing shoes with heels, which raises the position of the os calcis relative to the forward portion of the first metatarsal. Many devices have been devised in an effort to compensate for the position of the bones in the foot in this manmade position relative to the ground; and none of them has been singularly successful. Many 3 have concentrated on supporting the inner side of the foot at the center of the arch by means which are generally designated arch supports. However, few have seriously considered the outer side of the longitudinal arch which, in the final analysis, is the primary weight carrier of the foot. Experiment has shown that the weight of the body in walking is carried from the os calcis, or heel bone, as one main support along a substantially curved line through the cuboid` and the fifth metatarsal to the forward portion of the first metatarsal as the second main support. In other words, in walking, the weight of the body is distributed along the outer edge of the foot in an arc of a circle from the heel bone to the forward portion of the iirst metatarsal. The foot has a tendency to roll, which is a balanced movement when the heel is not maintained raised relative to the metatarsals.

Before proceeding, it should be observed here 1936, Serial No. 104,646

(Cl. Sii-71) that the lower portion or supporting surface of the os calcis is not at, but is higher on the inner side and has a tuberosity on the outer side which allows the weight to be shifted forward without wobbling of the foot until the weight reaches the cuboid and the base of the fifth metatarsal. By this construction, the heel bone shifts the weight forwardly gradually rather than abruptly. As the weight is shifted forwardly, the base of the fth metatarsahwhich is, in eiect, a marked protuberance, assists in the forward shifting thereof by contact with the walking surface. However, when the heel bone is elevated, the base of the fth metatarsal is likewise relatively elevated and, to contact the walking sur- 15 face, must drop a greater degree, which results in straining the main longitudinal arch, inasmuch as the bone structure must give to allow this unnatural ultimate position of the base of the fifth metatarsal. This dropping downwardly of the rear portion of the fifth metatarsal accentuates the rolling weight distribution throughout the foot and results in the turning over of the shoe which is one of the greatest wear points in modern shoe construction; inasmuch as the majority of shoes, after being worn a short while, show this overturning outwardly of the upper over the edge of the sole. The present invention contemplates correcting this distorted action of the bone structure by providing a natural support for the base or rear portion of the fifth metatarsal which will alleviate strain in the foot and save this undue overturning of the shoes outwardly.

The above noted undue lowering of the outside bone structure of the foot, resultant of raising the heel relative to the forward portion of the first metatarsal, strains the whole foot structure and causes tiring of an individual prematurely. Only when the foot is properly balanced is the circulation of the blood-normal and can the blood enter and leave the pedal extremity without straining the heart. There are nerves passing through the feet which transmit the proper amount of nerve impulses when the circulation 45 is normal, and quite obviously impoverished circulation will lead to subnormal nerve impulses and resultant impaired activity of the feet. Lengthy experiments have proven that a foot housed in a shoe constructed in line with the 1 present invention has normal blood circulation. Wearers of such shoes have been able to withstand very substantially greater strains in usage of the feet than when wearing shoes of conventional design and construction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of balancing a foot within a shoe to reduce bone and muscle strain and to prevent the outward overturning of the shoe upper over the edge of the sole.

Another object is to provide a device adapted to support the rear portion of the fth metatarsal and its associated bones in a modern shoe.

Another object is to provide means for correcting modern shoe construction to secure foot balance within the shoe.

Another object is to provide means for utilizing the natural single longitudinal arch of the foot.

Another object is to provide means for alleviating the unnatural position of the fifth metatarsal when diposed in shoes of modern construction.

Another object is to provide means adapted to be used in a shoe to properly balance a foot to relieve muscle and bone strain and to prevent overturning of the upper over the sole.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is an insert constructed in line with the present invention which is adapted to be disposed within a shoe to effect the purpose and objects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section through a shoe showing an insert of the configuration of Fig. l disposed between the insole and the lining.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through a last and associated shoe elements showing a modied means of effecting the present invention.

Fig. S is a diagrammatic view showing the bone structure of the outer side of the longitudinal arch disclosing the position of the fifth metatarsal relative to the -os calcis when the latter is raised.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the weight f distribution through the bones of the foot.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by reference numerals, IG indicates generally an insert for a shoe constructed in the light of the present invention. As is shown in Fig. l, the insert l0 is generally elongated and is adapted to be disposed in a shoe, as is disclosed clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. In a preferred configuration, the insert IG is bevelled from the rear edge forwardly to approximately the line |2 to provide a gradual support for the muscles and tissue forwardly of the supporting point of the osy calcis. Itis further provided with a sharp bevel i3 along the side which is remote from the outside of the shoe, the bevel i3 gradually widening forwardly, as at Ul, to provide a general slope for eiectively shifting the weight of the foot from the fifth metatarsal to the forward portion of the rst metatarsal, which is the second main supporting point of the longitudinal arch. The outward edge l5 of the insert lll conforms to the outward lines of the shoe and is substantially perpendicular, as can be seen from an inspection of Fig. 6. That portion of the upper side of the insert indicated l5 is substantially parallel to the under side, and is of a depth to properly support the fifth metatarsal and the associated bones. From the rear edge i of the portion i6 the insert slopes gradually rearwardly throughout the portion 5 to the line of intersection |2 with the bevelled portion Likewise, from the front edge 6 of the portion I6 the insert slopes gradually forwardly throughout the portion l to the line 0f intersection 8 with the bevelled portion M. The base of the fth metatarsal rests on the raised portion I6. It is to be understood, of course, that the insert lil may be varied in certain of these details to conform to Specic foot requirements.

In Figs. 4, 5 and G the insert l0 is shown in one disposition relative to the elements of a shoe. The illustrative shoe comprises an upper I8, a heel |S, an outsole 2li, an insole 2|, and a lining 22. The insert l0 is disposed between the lining 22 and the insole 2|, though, of course, it could be inserted between the insole 2| and the outsole 2B, if desired.

In Fig. 7 there is shown another means of efiecting the present invention. A last 25 is constructed with a portion of the sole cut away at 26, that portion which is cut away being of a conguration substantially equivalent to the insert shown in Fig. 1. The shoe is constructed on this preformed last in a manner to provide a built-up portion 2l between the outsole 28 and the insole 29. The built-up portion may be composed of strips of leather, composition, metal, or other material which will provide a firm built-up portion for the outer side of the longitudinal arch. The built-up portion 2l and the insert It are of a material firm enough to withstand the continual application thereto of the base of the fifth metatarsal; for, if it yields, the supporting effectiveness will be lost. However, it must be constructed and disposed so that the foot does not have the sensation of treading upon an obstruction within the shoe.

In Fig. 8 there is shown diagrammatically the disposition of the bones along the outer side of the foot when the foot is placed in a shoe having a heel. It will be observed that the os calcis 3| is a considerable distance above the forward portion 32 of the fifth metatarsal 33. 'I'he rear portion 34 of the fth metatarsal assumes a position on a plane between those of the forward portion 32 and the os calcis 3|. The relative positions of the phalanges 35, the cuboid 3S and the astragalus 3T are as shown. It is quite obvious that thus raising the os calcis 3| deinitely forces the remaining bone structure to assume an unnatural position which the present invention positively corrects.

In Fig. 9, there is disclosed diagrammatically by the arrows 4B the line of body weight shifting in walking, which is from the position 4| of the os calcis to the position 42 of the forward position of the rst metatarsal. This diagrammatic illustration emphasizes the forward rolling of the weight in walking along an arc of a circle. Clearly, if no support is afforded the base or rear portion of the fifth metatarsal, then the foot must roll outwardly to an extent which will deform the shoe and cause the upper to substantially overlap, the edge of the sole. This undue rolling of the foot produces a continual strain on the muscles, the ligaments, and the bones of the foot which tires an individual in a very short time. Such rapid tiring of an individual palpably results in impaired and ineiicient use of the pedal extremities and of the rest of the human mechanism; for tired feet result in a tired body and an irritated and restricted mental condition. Hence, to properly balance` the feet will contribute materially to the total efficiency of an individual.

It is evident that there has been provided a method and means for balancing a foot within a shoe to eliminate and remove strain on the muscles, ligaments, tissues, and bones of the foot. There has also been provided means for preventing undue rolling of the foot which habitually results in the overturning of the shoe upper over the edge of the sole which produces an unsightly appearance.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example and not for limitation, the invention being limited only by the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A foot support for use in shoes and adapted to lie beneath the outer side of the longitudinal arch of the foot, including a first section elevated above the normal level of the inside of the shoe to support in elevated position the rear portion of the fth metatarsal, said section being of substantially even height throughout its area, and terminated at its rear short of the heel seat and at its front at a point shortly ahead of the said rear of the said fifth metatarsal, a second section extending forwardly from the said front portion of the first section and sloping downwardly toward the inside level ofthe shoe, said second section extending forwardly under the front portion of the fifth metatarsal to provide positive support thereof at an elevation above the inside level of the shoe but at a less elevation relative to the inside level ofV the shoe than is provided by the rst section, said second section, ahead of the front of the fth metatarsal, being then lowered to the inside level of the shoe.

2. A. foot support for use in shoes and adapted to lie beneath the outer side of the longitudinal arch of the foot, including a back section having a rear edge adapted to lie adjacent the os calcis and said back section extending forwardly from said rear edge and sloping up- Wardly from the normal level of the inside of the shoe to provide support for the portions forwardly and on the outer side of the os calcis, a middle section at the forward end of the rear section having a substantially constant elevation above the inside level of the shoe, and extending beneath the rear of the fth metatarsal to support such part above the normal level of the inside of the shoe, and a front section extending forwardly from the middle section, said front section tapering downwardly from the middle section toward the front of the shoe, and extending beneath the front of the fifth metatarsal to support the same above the level of the inside of the shoe, said front section, ahead of the front of the fifth metatarsal, being then lowered to the inside level of the shoe.

CHARLES P. LEYDECKER. 

